Propeller shaft lube??

[ugharin]

I was reading the manual and its recommended that the propeller shaft be lubricated with some lithium soap based grease.

1) Any specific brand and/or specification and a generic substitute for the same?2) Hows it done? Im afraid there isnt enough information in the manual apropos the methodology, quantity required etc.

While I am there, can I use this grease to lube any other parts?

Thanks for the help.

[Buzzman]

What's a propeller shaft?

[Pwnin O'Brien]

You can use any lithium-based grease, you can buy it anywhere. My personal preference is Mobil1 synthetic lube. You will also need a grease gun with a flexible tube, the grease fitting can be somewhat difficult to reach. The propeller shaft is the only lube point on the R50.

[GRNMACHINE]

In America we call it a drive shaft.... I wondered the same thing years ago!

Here is a link to a decent writeup:

http://autorepair.about.com/li...h.htm

[ugharin]

Thanks for the replies guys. I got the mobil1 lube and the grease gun+hose for under 25 bucks from Autozone. Will be doing it this weekend. Glad that its just one lube point.

Meanwhile, I tried, yesterday evening to change the fluids in the differential and the transmission on the 2000 QX4. SOBs WILL NOT budge!. The 1/2" filler plug on the differential will not move no matter what. Same with the 19mm drain on the transmission. I tried pretty hard and am wondering WTF do the guys at a shop use? I spent an hour with the rear end and said f*** it and turned around and tried the transmission and spent another 30 minutes before calling it a day.

I am thinking an impact wrench is a must for these jobs but am wondering if theyd strip. I first tried the 1/2" wrench. Then the WD40. Then the breaker bar with duct tape and extension.

Any ideas? Thanks again for the help.
Modified by ugharin at 8:42 AM 2/27/2010

[e2xx33]

The fill and drain bolts can be a total PITA. Try PB Blaster, it works a lot better than WD-40. Loosening them with an impact gun shouldnt harm them because the threads are really corse. Just be aware that these bolts only have a few threads because they are so short. dont hit these bolts too long with the impact gun, or else you will be wearing a lot of gear oil!

As for the transmission bolt, the threads on that are pretty fine so be careful not to strip them.

[ugharin]

Got the PB blaster. Will try the 2000 again coming week.

Meanwhile, I was wondering about a couple of things as this has been on the back of my mind for a few days.

My 02 2WD differential, took a little over or around 4.25 quarts of gear oil (valvoline 80w90 for conventional and limited slip). The original orange brown colored fluid that came out was fairly clean and nice. But unfortunately, I did not measure it as I didnt find the need to. But I had to continue to fill till 4.25 qts when I thought it was only supposed to take 3. (Incidentally, the truck was parked on an uphill during the fluid change)

Is that too much? Will it put any components, seals etc on pressure?

It could be possible that there was less gear oil in there and hence it took over 4 qts but the differential and its bolts, plugs etc are clean with no noticeable leaks. ----------------------------------------------Secondly, my transmission fluid was indeed dirty and it took exactly 5.5 qts of new 75w90 valvoline conventional. I dropped the pan and changed the filter as well. Had to scrape the previous gasket off of the pan and it didnt seem like rubber like the new one. It could be my imagination but although, I do find a very very subtle difference in shift in a positive way, the acceleration seems to have dropped a bit and seems like its demanding more throttle. ANd also, I can now 'hear' the transmission more than before. Not sure yet but is what it feels like right now. Is it normal and does that indicate or point to anything? If its any indication, the fluid in my 2000 with 127k miles, which I will work on this week, should be much worser and am wondering if I should just let it be.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

I think the differential fluid issue has been discussed here before, except your story is backwards. Normally there is more fluid in the differentials (from the factory) than the FSM says is required (about 3 quarts). As long as you filled the differential properly and it's filled up to the fill plug than you're fine. Better to have more fluid than not enough! No, it won't hurt the differential if there is a little more fluid than necessary.

[ugharin]

Ah! Great. Thanks for the reply pwnin. As usual, your posts are succinct and informative and clarify things up.

[alexf20c]

nothing in the diff should be pressurized, that's why there is a breather tube, to vent any pressure build-up from gear mesh. if you overfill, it can come out at the outer axle seals (inside the brake drums). that's also the first place you'll notice a leak, other than the seal between the case and the housing.

check the insides of your wheels, and inside the brake drum. they could be saturated in gear oil from a bad axle seal, which could be caused by well - a bad axle seal; or it could be a clogged breather hose which is allowing pressure to build, and blowing it out the axle seal.

[ugharin]

nothing in the diff should be pressurized, that's why there is a breather tube, to vent any pressure build-up from gear mesh. if you overfill, it can come out at the outer axle seals (inside the brake drums). that's also the first place you'll notice a leak, other than the seal between the case and the housing.

check the insides of your wheels, and inside the brake drum. they could be saturated in gear oil from a bad axle seal, which could be caused by well - a bad axle seal; or it could be a clogged breather hose which is allowing pressure to build, and blowing it out the axle seal.

Thanks for the reply alex.

I took a quick look down over there and also took a few pics. I cant seem to be able to post the pics here.

But it seems to look ok as of now, as in no leaks. But I will look again. I am concerned cause it took a whole 1.5 quarts more than the FSM requirement of 3 qts. I went to the nissan dealership nearby who are are turning out to be utterly unhelpful going by my last few visits there. They simply offered that they could do it for me again and that they have no idea whats going to happen with the overfill. Basically, they never really answer my question other than to offer to do XXX for YYYY everytime I go there.

I will try to posts the pics again. But thanks for the tips. Theres so much I am learning here.